First report of Phacelia tanacetifolia in Tunisia
Phacelia tanacetifolia (Boraginaceae) is an annual species and is native to North America (USA: Arizona, California and Nevada, Mexico). It is widespread in the EPPO region where it is planted to support bee populations, and it can also be found in ruderal habitats including waste land and along roadsides. P. tanacetifolia is reported for the first time in Tunisia where one population of approximately 25 plants was reported from Menzel Ennour municipality (Monastir governorate) The population covered approximately one hectare. The origin of this population is unknown. However, the population is at the edge of a cultivated field and there is the potential that the species was introduced as a contaminant of annual crop seeds. Alternatively the pathway of introduction may have been an accidental escape from individuals planted as garden ornamentals. P. tanacetifolia is considered a transient alien plant in Tunisia.
Sources
El Mokni AA, Mokni R, El Mokni R (2025) Phacelia tanacetifolia Benth. (Hydrophylloideae, Boraginaceae): a first report as casual alien to the vascular flora of Tunisia. Hacquetia, DOI: 10.3986/hacq-2025-0013